Moving to Buffalo from Canada: visas, costs and what to know
Buffalo is about 90 minutes from Toronto, with lower housing costs and a growing economy. Here's how Canadians can move to Buffalo legally, and what to plan for.
Last reviewed: November 2026. General information only, not legal advice.
Why Canadians move to Buffalo
For many Canadians, Buffalo is the easiest US move: close to family and friends, with a cost of living well below Toronto's.
- Right next to Ontario. Across the Peace Bridge from Fort Erie, and about 90 minutes from Toronto.
- Lower housing costs than Toronto and most large US cities.
- Healthcare and education jobs, including major hospitals, the University at Buffalo and a growing medical campus.
- A familiar feel, with hockey, snowy winters and a large Canadian presence.
Visa options for Canadians moving to Buffalo
Living or working in Buffalo needs the right visa or a green card, even though it's so close to home.
New to this? Read our complete guide to moving from Canada to the US →
TN visa
For professionals with a US job offer in an eligible profession. Canadians apply at the border or at US preclearance at a Canadian airport, with no petition needed first.
TN visa guide →L-1 company transfer
Move to a US office of the company you already work for, or open a US office for your Canadian business.
L-1 visa guide →E-2 investor visa
Buy or start a business. Canada is a treaty country, and there's no fixed minimum investment, but it must be substantial.
E-2 visa guide →H-1B visa
For degree-level jobs with a sponsoring US employer. Selected by lottery, and a $100,000 fee applies to many new petitions.
H-1B guide →Green cards
Permanent residence through family, a US employer, or investment through the EB-5 program, starting at $800,000.
Green card routes →O-1 extraordinary ability
For people at the top of their field, including actors, directors, writers, musicians, scientists and founders. There's no lottery and no cap.
O-1 visa guide →Living close to the border
Being near Canada makes life easier, but the rules still apply:
- Your status matters at every crossing. Carry your visa documents, and keep your status valid if you travel back and forth often.
- Living in one country and working in the other raises immigration and tax questions. Get advice before you set it up.
- Health coverage: once you move, your provincial plan will end. Arrange US health insurance first.
Practical tips for your move to Buffalo
- Driver's licence: New York gives new residents 30 days to exchange a Canadian licence.
- Taxes: New York has a state income tax, but Buffalo has no New York City tax. Get cross-border tax advice before you move.
- Health insurance: use an employer plan or NY State of Health from day one.
- Winter: lake-effect snow is real. A good car and winter tires help.
- Social Security number: apply once you arrive with permission to work.
Helpful resources for newcomers to Buffalo
These official sites cover the first practical steps after you arrive.
- Get a Social Security numberApply once you're in the US with permission to work.
- New York driver licence exchangeHow to swap your Canadian licence for a New York one.
- NY State of HealthNew York's official health insurance marketplace.
- Buffalo Public SchoolsThe city's public school district.
- City of BuffaloOfficial city services.
- Leaving Canada: tax for emigrantsCanada Revenue Agency guide to departure tax and your final return.
These are official government and public websites. VisaPlace is not affiliated with them. Links open in a new tab.
Common questions about moving to Buffalo
Can a Canadian move to Buffalo without a visa?
Canadians can visit without a visa, usually for up to 6 months at a time, but visitors can't work or live in the US. To live and work in Buffalo you need a work visa, an investor visa or a green card.
What's the easiest way for a Canadian to work in Buffalo?
It depends on your situation. With a job offer in an eligible profession, the TN visa is often the fastest. If you're investing in a business, the E-2 is popular. If your employer has a US office, the L-1 may fit. VisaScore shows which may fit you in about 3 minutes.
Can I live in Buffalo and work in Canada?
It's possible, but it's not just a commute. You need the right to live in the US, and cross-border work can affect your taxes in both countries. A licensed immigration lawyer and a cross-border tax adviser can help you set it up properly.
Can I exchange my Canadian driver's licence in New York?
Yes. New York lets you exchange a licence from a Canadian province. You must do it within 30 days of becoming a New York resident.
Can my family come with me?
Most work and investor visas let your spouse and children under 21 come with you. On the E-2 and L-1, your spouse can also work. TN spouses can live in the US but can't work.
Is the first consultation free?
Yes. Your first consultation with a licensed, independent US immigration lawyer is free, and the lawyer gives you a clear quote before any work begins.
Planning your move to Buffalo?
Answer a few questions and see which US visas may fit you, then talk to a licensed immigration lawyer for free.
VisaPlace Immigration works with licensed and experienced immigration lawyers, who are independent and operate separately from VisaPlace Immigration. VisaPlace Immigration does not provide legal advice. The information on this page is general and is not a guarantee of eligibility. Immigration rules change often, and decisions on visas and permanent residence are made by government authorities.